Child Protection

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): And a final one as well on this topic, hopefully. If that is the case, and you had received these briefings from SAPOL, why did you and the Premier assert publicly that there was nothing extraordinary about this employee whatsoever?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:12): I never at any time used those words. What I have said publicly was that this man went through criminal history checks and the working with children checks and there was nothing adverse in either of those checks. Now, the Leader of the Opposition may want to rewrite what I have said. He comes in here—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is warned for the first time.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: We have had instances in here where the opposition asks questions, asserts certain things and then takes that as fact for follow up. I have never said those things, and I would appreciate it if the Leader of the Opposition would withdraw his comments.

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I'm opening the batting with government questions.